I have an idea for Duxford…

Perhaps when they make the dummies Moggy if you ask very nicely they’ll mould an extra Susanna for you.

Is it just me, or is this thread about to go dowhill very very quickly? 😉

JC
Woohoo – 300 posts!

Ah, at last we have the definitive comments from Moggy, hehe. Cheers mate.

Yes, a few top-class wax-works of Douglas Bader, Keith Park, even Dowding and – dare I suggest – Galland, etc would add to the atmos, along with some of the BofB film characters. I think along with true educational historic figures you’d need to tie in the film characters to get the Hollywood sponsorship.

Uniforms/costumes for the staff is a bit too much to ask I think, but music and wartime recordings is easily sorted.

Perhaps when they make the dummies Moggy if you ask very nicely they’ll mould an extra Susanna for you. 😉

Any comments from you Moggy now that you’re back?

Hmmm,

Pools of saliva all over the tarmac 😮

There’s a number of different points here.

Some authentic ‘period’ figures would be good. But they would have to be quality ones. Some of the fashion store mannequins I’ve seen around aren’t that brilliant. They would help enhance the atmosphere. The thought of DB stumping off to his MG prior to a quick trip to the Red Lion really appeals (Or maybe on a quick trip from his holiday in Liverpool?)

Some characters from the movie would appeal to a different audience and be equally valid, it is, after all, a significant part of Duxford’s history. If cost wasn’t an issue then there’s plenty of room for both surely.

I can see why all the museum staff might object to having to wear period costumes. They are a tad uncomfortable, though I’m sure we’d all club together for Ashley’s issue shirt and suspenders (Good job I’m a mod – if she kills the post I can resurrect it). However a few guides, and possibly the security chaps dressed as MPs wouldn’t go amiss. I think most of them are ex-Services anyway. Certainly make the guardroom look better.

Music and sound effects? Yes please.

I think the key though is that there shouldn’t be too much repetition. I can still hear ‘Roses of Blooming Picardy’ (Good though, much better than Bucks Fizz ‘Making your mind up’. Another that always gets stuck in the brain.) One outing of George Formby and Gracie Fields couldn’t hurt anyone.

The portakabin does look out of place, but since there’s a Victor rotting away quietly close at hand I wouldn’t get too finickity about that sort of detail.

Biggest problem?

I think the SY doll might suffer a high pilferage rate :diablo: :diablo: :diablo: :diablo: :diablo: :diablo: :diablo:

Moggy

Duxford will never be a total recreation. East Kirkby is a much more promising venue for that sort of thing.

Cheers James.

They’ll prrobably think I’m some Colonial idiot, but I don’t mind. It’s probably true!

Maybe I should contact a few of the cast and get them on my side first, Michael Caine, Lovejoy, that pretty WAAF in suspenders, etc. 😀 A few emails to a few contacts might swing it … (or maybe I shouldn’t be posting straight after the party I went to tonight, hic).

I still don’t know where to email. Ashley?

Cheers
Dave

😀 😀 😀 I wouldn’t say no, actually 🙂

Right, who mentioned George Formby…~reads back~…ooooh curse you Dave Homewood 😀 I will now have “When I’m cleaning windows” stuck in my head all afternoon…and this is my least favourite song of all time…it just makes me want to grab his ukele and slam it down hard on his head…shoving it somewhere would also be good :diablo: :dev2: :diablo:

I like instrumental 1940s style music – Glenn Miller, Charlie Kunz sorta stuff…stuff that gets you in the mood…the aviation mood that is before Snapper and co start up…mind you if that’s what floats your boat 😀 Not a great fan of warbling…bit of Vera Lynn is alright mind but not too hot on the likes of Gracie Fields…

Women in uniform………..ooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhmmmmm! :dev2:

Also, James, did you ever talk to anyone at Duxford about the Batle of Britain film wax dummy idea I had? You mentioned that you would but I haven’t heard owt.

I asked (v informally) not warmly recieved. (let’s be honest, I wasn’t selling it hard either) However, Dave, do send a note yourself by all means!

Ashley, you’re sacked! :p

Sorry Dave, I had evidently forgotten to come back to this thread 😮 I’ll answer your request in a PM 🙂

Ten Ways to Improve RAF Duxford:

Steam Clean the acres of concrete (I think they were experimenting with a way to do this as the site looks a bit grubby).

Repaint the hangers and other buildings in more appropriate shades of brown and green. I think the shades are similar to those worn by the Hawker Hurricane and Avro Rota displayed in the ‘Battle of Britain’ hangar

Replace the green house located on top of the control tower with something that looks more in keeping with a wartime structure. Remove the double glazing with something just has energy efficient.

Open up the Fire Section to visitors

Fly the RAF Ensign

Paint the curb stones where appropriate black and white.

Less inappropriate street furniture

Get rid of the OFMC portacabin

Paint the Flight Line Fence

and finally… 😉

Its alright you saying “Ways to improve RAF Duxford”. I think you’ll find it’s a bit to late, what you suggest above is fine, however, due to the fact you have a huge concrete wood louse next to hanger 5, the white elephant at the east end and the land warfare hall down the west, not to mention the cheap rides that seem to have set roots outside 2 hanger in the summer.
A lot needs doing.

Just resurrecting this thread from a couple of months ago because there are several unresolved issues.

I’m still keen to learn whether the USAAF had its own ensign (that means flag to non-military peoples) or whether they just used the stars-and-bars of the USA?

Also, James, did you ever talk to anyone at Duxford about the Batle of Britain film wax dummy idea I had? You mentioned that you would but I haven’t heard owt.

Moggy, did you see this thread in the end? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

I never did hear from anyone with a suggestion who to email about the BofB idea. Does anyone know the right person to approach regarding such a display at DX? It would be interesting to hear what they think. I’m sure the MGM/UA would not instantly dismiss the idea of getting involved if it promotes their DVD sales too.

Has anyone been to Duxford over the past week and made any suggestions from this thread at all yet?

Or Ashley, can you suggest that email please?

Any comments from you Moggy now that you’re back?

Oh that’s right, cheers Flood. I forgot he was doing that.

Now, back to the original topic, wax dummies of the Battle of Britain film cast… all I can say is…. Wot? No comment from Moggy yet?

He probably would too, if he wasn’t commemorating another battle from 60 years ago at the moment (Arnhem, doncha know).

Flood

:confused: I was only saying that if the OFMC Portacabin was felt to look out of place, it could be disguised, or replaced by a more WW2 looking building, to blend in with the the WW1/WW2 buildings at Duxford. I never said that the OFMC should be turfed out. :confused:

Geoff 😎

Well, I think OFMC hold a place there forever for their commitment to War Birds,so stuff the cladding :p :p Anna 😉 😉 Geoff please go away :rolleyes: Anna 🙁 🙁

:confused: I was only saying that if the OFMC Portacabin was felt to look out of place, it could be disguised, or replaced by a more WW2 looking building, to blend in with the the WW1/WW2 buildings at Duxford. I never said that the OFMC should be turfed out. :confused:

Geoff 😎

You don’t need to get rid of it, it could be disguised with some timber cladding & ‘blast protected’ windows, or perhaps when it needs replacing, a ‘modern’ Nissen hut (if anyone makes something like that these days) could be used, both suitably camouflaged. Not that I’m trying to tell OFMC what to do, but it would be worth considering if the cost was not too prohibative.

Geoff 😮 😮 How could you say that 🙁 I used to like you :dev2: :dev2: Anna 🙁 😡 😡 😡

Que?

First you’ve got to get him to go cold turkey over Fordsons & John Deere, then he’ll be cheap, mate.

The word cost frightens the museum
Best you dont say it again. :rolleyes:

Anyone know how much an extractor fan is????

You don’t need to get rid of it, it could be disguised with some timber cladding & ‘blast protected’ windows, or perhaps when it needs replacing, a ‘modern’ Nissen hut (if anyone makes something like that these days) could be used, both suitably camouflaged. Not that I’m trying to tell OFMC what to do, but it would be worth considering if the cost was not too prohibative.